The Trailblazers Sweep Visiting Owls on Senior Day

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Trailblazers earned their second MASCAC sweep in less than 24 hours. Westfield State visited North Adams this afternoon and MCLA sent them home winless. With the wins MCLA now improves to 14-18, 8-4 and Westfield falls to 7-24, 4-8.

Westfield State got on the board quickly in the first inning when leadoff hitter Courtney Begin got a base hit and advanced to second on ground out by Molly Dunbar. An infield error off the bat of Breanne Bisceglia scored Begin and that would be the only Westfield run of the game.

MCLA was held scoreless in the first inning but their bats came alive in the second. Angelica Perfido was hit by a pitch, Sam Barbarotta scarified her to second. Tanelle Ciempa the next batter up grounded out to third and Perfido advanced on the throw. Megan Boyer stepped to the plate and ripped a double to left scoring Perfido and tying the game at one.

The Trailblazers again scored in the third inning when Rachel Quackenbush walked, Kendra Hobbs reached on a fielder's choice moved to second on a ground out by Michaela DiNicola and scored on an Amanda Meczywor single putting them up 2-1 and that was all they needed for the win.

Quackenbush earned the win, striking out eight and walking one, facing four batters over the limit. Kelley Fluet was tagged with the loss for the Owls.

The Trailblazers were led at the plate by Meczywor who was 2 for 3 with two singles and an RBI. Westfield was lead by Bisceglia who was also 2 for 3 with a pair of singles.

The nightcap started the same way for the Owls as they struck first in the second inning, when Celina Sinico earned a walk, advanced to third on a single by Emilie Mailloux. With one out Vicki Hill popped out to Quackenbush. The designated player Kate Woishnis hit a two out single scoring Sinico.

The Trailblazers were held scoreless until the fourth inning, until their bats came alive. Perfido started the inning off with a single. The Owls tried to get Perfido at second but she was called safe and Barbarotta reached safely. Boyer struck again with a two RBI double to put the Trailblazers up 2-1. Boyer stole third base and scored on a Samantha Boyle single.

The Trailblazers would hold a 3-1 lead until the sixth inning. With two outs Ciempa hit a single to left. With two strikes and two outs, Hobbs hit a homerun to straightway center and that was all the Trailblazers needed to earn the sweep, putting them safely ahead 5-1.

Meczywor did all that was needed in the circle coming in for starter Quackenbush. She pitched four scoreless innings.

Boyle had a great day at the plate in the second game going 2 for 3.

The Trailblazers will not play again until Thursday when they travel to Skidmore College and will be back in MASCAC action this weekend when they travel to Buzzards Bay to take on Mass Maritime for their last conference match-up. Westfield will stay on the road for the remainder of the week. They travel to Springfield College tomorrow and will play Worcester State on Saturday.